Published 9:04 pm, Monday, July 8, 2013

Comey, who left his position as Westport-based Bridgewater's general counsel in January, would receive the money as a "full payout" of his interests in the company's profit-sharing plan, according to a questionnaire filed with the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Should Comey be confirmed by the Senate, the money would be paid "prior to the date that I assume the position" as FBI director, according to the 32-page questionnaire, signed by Comey and dated June 26.

Russell Sherman, a spokesman for Bridgewater, didn't have an immediate comment on the payout.

Iowa Senator Charles Grassley, the top Republican on the panel, has said he plans to look into Comey's work at Bridgewater, the world's largest hedge fund. Grassley, who complimented Comey's work on national security issues and his independence, said in a June statement that he remained "interested in his recent work in the hedge fund industry." Comey already is facing questions from civil liberties groups and some Senate Democrats over his role in the Bush administration's use of harsh interrogation techniques on terrorism suspects, as well as recent disclosures about the scope of the federal government's secret surveillance programs.

Still, lawmakers on both sides have lauded Obama's pick of a lawyer who also served as the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York and, after he departed the Bush administration, the general counsel of Lockheed Martin.

Sen. Patrick Leahy, a Vermont Democrat and chairman of the Judiciary panel, called for the "swift and respectful confirmation" of Comey by the Senate. Comey, if confirmed, would replace current FBI Director Robert Mueller, who has held the job since September 2001.